Former Congressman Chuck Douglas' firm representing family of woman shot by state police

The Concord law firm headed by former Congressman Chuck Douglas is representing the estate of the Canterbury woman shot and killed by a New Hampshire State Police trooper at a Sept. 30 traffic stop in Manchester.

.Richard Lehmann said the firm has met with close relatives of Lawrence and has started to investigate the shooting death, which is also being investigated by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office...Lawrence bolted from a New Hampshire State Police traffic stop north of Concord and was pursued to the corner of Kennard Road and Dave Street in Manchester's North End, where she was shot four times by a trooper, authorities have said...Lawrence was driving after her license had been suspended and had minor run-ins with the law dealing with marijuana possession and domestic assault.

"The circumstances are troubling, and it's appropriate for her family to be looking for answers," Lehmann said. He said his firm is interested in seeing any photo, video or audio recordings from the shooting or its aftermath...He's also interested in speaking to any witnesses.

The lawyer said it's too early to say what the family will do, but he acknowledged that a wrongful death lawsuit could be a possibility. Douglas said the Attorney General's Office will have to complete its investigation before any decision is made..."At this point, we only hope that the highest law enforcement officials in the state make a complete and unbiased reveiw of (the) events," Douglas said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Lawrence family released a statement through the Douglas-Lehmann law office on Tuesday...The unnamed family members said they want to mourn their loss in private.

"We feel it is in the best interest of all to hold a private celebration of Wendy's life and a private wake for the surviving members of our family and our personal friends. As Wendy's death was a tragedy and awakened the emotions of even those who did not know her, we feel it is our responsibility to help keep the peace," the statement reads...They encouraged Lawrence's friends and the public to "continue asking the appropriate questions that justice requires" but to do so civilly.

"Please only pursue truth and justice with the decency and respect that we know Wendy deserves and would have wanted," the statement reads...Lehmann said he spent time with one of Lawrence's sons, her daughter, her sister and her mother. Lawrence's mother lives in Florida; the other three live in Massachusetts, he said.

Lawrence's body remains in a morgue, and the family is working on ensuring a proper burial for her, Lehmann said...mhayward@unionleader.com..